Yamuna Expressway: Samajwadi Party government unwilling to give nod to project awarded by former BSP government

NEW DELHI | LUCKNOW: Curious commuters are enjoying joyrides across India's newest stretch of shimmering asphalt by greasing the palms of the private guards on duty, while politics threaten to erect roadblocks against its formal opening.

The 165-km Yamuna Expressway on the outskirts of Delhi promises to reduce travel time between Greater Noida and Agra by half, besides unleashing a frenzy of development on either side of India's longest toll road right through to the city of the Taj Mahal.

The six-lane highway, extendable to eight lanes, will have closed-circuit cameras at every 5 km and a highway patrol at every 25 km, in addition to mobile radars along the all-concrete road to monitor compliance with speed limits.

But the Akhilesh Yadav-led Samajwadi Party government is yet to give a go-ahead to the Rs 13,000-crore project, which was commissioned by the previous dispensation in Lucknow.

As a result, commuters, including foreign tourists, are being denied access to a hassle-free ride to the country's prime tourist destination. At the same time, the builder of the access-controlled highway, Jaypee Infratech, stands to lose about Rs 50 crore a month, at a conservative estimated traffic of 50,000 vehicles a day and a toll of Rs 300 for a return trip.

The project, awarded by the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party government to what many said was its favourite builder, appears to have fallen prey to wrangling over its political ownership. The SP government sees few political dividends in facilitating a project that remains closely associated with its vanquished rival.

During a debate in the state assembly in March, Akhilesh Yadav had referred to the project as an "expressway of scams meant to provide huge undue favours to a select company".

Last month, when Yadav made a detour while campaigning for a by-poll in Maanth assembly constituency and travelled a considerable length on the expressway, he pointed out that the ride was bumpy at some places and commented on the lack of greenery along the expressway.

The state government says the project will be given a green signal only after the supporting infrastructure around the expressway is entirely completed. The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) has, therefore, not issued a completion certificate and the toll to be charged is also yet to be finalised.

"The state government is yet to receive the completion certificate of the project from YEIDA and only after that would a decision be taken on the opening of the expressway," said Anil Kumar Gupta, the infrastructure and industrial development commissioner of Uttar Pradesh. A Jaypee spokesperson declined to comment on the delay.

A senior YEIDA official, who did not wish to be named, said four of the six proposed interchanges are ready. Work on the remaining two will take another 20-30 days, the official said, adding that construction of the three toll plazas and work on medical facilities and refuelling points is also underway.

"We expect all the work to be completed within a month and then the completion certificate will be issued," the official said, adding that the authority has also sent a proposal to the state government for finalising the toll rates.

However, Jaypee did not pitch for the project only because of the toll revenue. The company also got 6,175 acres across five locations on the expressway which will be used to develop about 530 million sq ft of real estate. The company's Formula One racing track is close to the expressway in Greater Noida, where it is also readying a modern cricket stadium and another sports complex.

"Jaypee has successfully launched its real estate township in Noida, but other land parcels become relevant only when the expressway is operational. The fact that the expressway reduces travel time will become clear to people only when they use it and that will help the company sell other townships as well," said IDFC Securities analyst Nitin Agarwal, who tracks Jaypee Infratech.

From the land that Jaypee got for the expressway, it has been selling real estate in Noida for the past four years and some other areas in the recent past. It has sold 43.22 million sq ft with a sale value of over Rs 14,000 crore and advances of Rs 7,800 crore.

However, Angel Broking analyst Nitin Arora said opening of the expressway would be significant as revenues will finally start flowing in. Until that happens, passers-by can negotiate to pay the unofficial toll of about 100 to zip to the monument of love.